WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: IT'S THE HOPE THAT THRILLS YOU

THE Irish job always ends in tears. It's not a matter of will the handkerchiefs arrive, just a matter of when.

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Just ask Johnny Giles, Eoin Hand, Brian Kerr or Mick McCarthy. Look at how ugly it was at the end, and often during the glory days of Big Jack Glory.

And look at the current, dreadfully sad and messy Eileen Gleeson v FAI battle that looms ahead. Once again box office for the wrong reasons.

On days like today, the start of a crucial World Cup Qualifying campaign, at least we have hope, even qualified excitement.